EtherREGEN: The long development thread. [Some Gen2 dev. pics and update starting on page 92.]

[Albrecht]

1 hour ago, jcn3 said:

 

it's been asked quite a few times already -- the limitation is a function of the hardware used to accomplish the design goal. i think they would have done it the first time if it was possible.

Hi,

Thank you and I appreciate your answer. I thought that the decision was made because it was thought that 10/100 sounded better.

[lpost]

Indeed, many ears prefer 100Mbps

[Superdad]

7 minutes ago, Albrecht said:

I thought that the decision was made because it was thought that 10/100 sounded better.

 

The ultra-low-jitter LVDS isolators we use were--at the time of design--only available at 600Mbps speed, not enough to take us to Gigabit.  There exist now a version fast enough, but:

a) It is still in very limited distribution;

b) Utilization is far from just a part substitution. The entire architecture of the EtherREGEN would have to change, with different Ethernet chips, a more expensive clock synth (also in limited distribution), and all sorts of power network beefing up.

[Mnemaks]

Hi, (apologies if this has been covered already), I’ve read lots of comments about the temperature of the etherregen but I’ve struggled to find any explicit advice on whether it’s ok/best to leave it switched on permanently (apart from when I’m away of course) or is it best to turn it off when not in use?

 

And a second question - I’m using a Paul Hynes SR4T to power it, are there any recommendations on the best voltage to use (I can select 5, 7, 9 or 12). Currently I have it set at 9v and it sounds very nice....just wondering if there’s a voltage that the etherregen is generally felt to sound best at?

 

Many thanks, Mike.

[R1200CL]

2 hours ago, Mnemaks said:

Hi, (apologies if this has been covered already), I’ve read lots of comments about the temperature of the etherregen but I’ve struggled to find any explicit advice on whether it’s ok/best to leave it switched on permanently (apart from when I’m away of course) or is it best to turn it off when not in use?

 

And a second question - I’m using a Paul Hynes SR4T to power it, are there any recommendations on the best voltage to use (I can select 5, 7, 9 or 12). Currently I have it set at 9v and it sounds very nice....just wondering if there’s a voltage that the etherregen is generally felt to sound best at?

 

Many thanks, Mike.

Use 12 V, and leave on permanently. 
 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/57586-etherregen-installation-usage-difficulty-questions-thread/?do=findComment&comment=1017096

 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/57586-etherregen-installation-usage-difficulty-questions-thread/?do=findComment&comment=1073715

 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/57586-etherregen-installation-usage-difficulty-questions-thread/?do=findComment&comment=1064292

 

https://audiophilestyle.com/search/?&q=EtherRegen 12V&author=Superdad&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

[Mnemaks]

Brilliant, many thanks.

[GryphonGuy]

14 hours ago, Mnemaks said:

Hi, (apologies if this has been covered already), I’ve read lots of comments about the temperature of the etherregen but I’ve struggled to find any explicit advice on whether it’s ok/best to leave it switched on permanently (apart from when I’m away of course) or is it best to turn it off when not in use?

 

And a second question - I’m using a Paul Hynes SR4T to power it, are there any recommendations on the best voltage to use (I can select 5, 7, 9 or 12). Currently I have it set at 9v and it sounds very nice....just wondering if there’s a voltage that the etherregen is generally felt to sound best at?

 

Many thanks, Mike.

 

I settled on 9V from SR4. Just sounded more relaxed with accurate timbres in my system. Obviously YMMV. And I also leave mine on 24/7.

 

Regards

GG

[Mnemaks]

Thanks GG, I’ll give that a try. Regards, Mike.

[MikePid]

I’m powering my ER with an SR4T at 12V. It sounds so good!  I’ll try 9V to compare. 
And I leave mine on 24/7.

Mike

[ASRMichael]

I'm using 7v with Sean Jacobs DC3. Works great. 

[R1200CL]

1 hour ago, ASRMichael said:

I'm using 7v with Sean Jacobs DC3. Works great. 

Of cause it will. The UpTone website states the following:

 

DC power input range — 7V/1.4A, 9V/1.0A, 12V/0.8A

What may is a bit odd is that 9V seems to have lowest consumption. (W=U x I)

[Superdad]

4 hours ago, R1200CL said:

What may is a bit odd is that 9V seems to have lowest consumption. (W=U x I)

 

No, wattage draw is about the same at all voltages in the range. My amperage quotations are approximations. Was not going to get silly going past one decimal place.  Actual draw will vary slightly (a few 10s of mA)  based on connections anyway.

[k27R]

What’s the actual range of current draw at  of those voltages? And does the use of the SFP port change the draw?

[Superdad]

9 minutes ago, k27R said:

What’s the actual range of current draw at  of those voltages? And does the use of the SFP port change the draw?

 

As mentioned, variation in draw will be just +/- a few tens of mA (ten mA being 0.010A). Just use a PS capable of at least 10 watts and you will be fine.  While yes, use of an SFP transceiver adds a little load, that is still just a few tens of mA (depending upon the transceiver).

[k27R]

1 hour ago, Superdad said:

 

As mentioned, variation in draw will be just +/- a few tens of mA (ten mA being 0.010A). Just use a PS capable of at least 10 watts and you will be fine.  While yes, use of an SFP transceiver adds a little load, that is still just a few tens of mA (depending upon the transceiver).

I was referring to your approximations for each voltage.  It ranges from 9.0W to 9.8W.  I’m just curious of what the actual measured current draw range is.

[atxkyle]

On 8/21/2020 at 10:32 AM, MikePid said:

I’m powering my ER with an SR4T at 12V. It sounds so good!  I’ll try 9V to compare. 
And I leave mine on 24/7.

Mike

 

I just switched my SR4T from 9V to 7V this week, and I think I prefer it at 7V (although I haven't done detailed comparisons--more passive listening since the change). 

[jos]

I connected the iFi iPower 9v, version X, to the ETherREGEN, because I sold my UltraRendu powered by this power supply (updating the UR was always a hassle) and it sounds quite good to me, coming from the ER’s own power brick. Of course: I grounded the EtherREGEN to be sure.

[jos]

The Melco S100 Switch was/is favourable reviewed in the latest edition of HiFi News, although they still think a common switch with an LPS can do the trick somehow too. So, it’s in an certain way a two way-story with a cheap and expensive solution. They mentioned other switches on the market too, but sadly not the EtherREGEN, we all love 💕 so much.,

[jos]

I wish to know what other products Uptone Audio have in mind 🙏, before I spend my money 💰 elsewhere.

[Superdad]

42 minutes ago, jos said:

They mentioned other switches on the market too, but sadly not the EtherREGEN, we all love 💕 so much.,

 

Because we do not purchase advertising ANYWHERE in the world (with the exception of sponsoring this forum and a company name logo on the front page here), magazine reviewers tend to overlook us.  Yet I confess to having a whole series of reviewer inquiries in my e-mail box--most all of which have gone unanswered over the past year. Just too busy trying to keep up with demand and in providing service and support to our users. If we have some units to spare we may release a few for reviewers.  Most reviewers want to receive a free unit. 

Also, I am not keen on the "category survey" comparative reviews that often get done. There is so much tech and so much to be said about our piece. Just a couple of paragraphs and a photo really does not do justice to the differentiating features of the EtherREGEN versus some upgraded off-the-shelf switch.

 

All that said, a full print review with lots of deep detail will be coming out in print in a major USA audio publication near the end of this year. But don't ask me which mag or who is doing the review--that must remain a secret for now. 

 

37 minutes ago, jos said:

I wish to know what other products Uptone Audio have in mind 🙏, before I spend my money 💰 elsewhere.

 

We really do appreciate your enthusiasm for our products, and I do understand the desire to see a roadmap for our next adventures so that you can best plan your purchases (and avoid investing in other brand high-priced units containing less innovation).  We do have a couple of exciting designs in development, one of which (a non-Ethernet piece) will leapfrog ahead.

 

But I leaned some lessons over the years--the hard way--about revealing plans too soon in the development cycle.  [This very thread on the EtherREGEN was started in March 2018 and the product finally shipped in November 2019!] So this time we are going to wait until certain development milestones (hurdles) are reached before revealing the details of the new device. Once we do, then completion won't take nearly as long.  And development has been going on for a while, so I am optimistic that we will make announcement before the end of 2020. 

[soares]

My 3 guesses:

i) A single box combining an etherRegen and a LPS

ii) A new IsoRegen

iii) A clock for the EtherRegen and or the new IsoRegen. 
I am almost certain on the first two. Some doubts on the 3rd one looking at the difficulties already shared by John.

I am already saving some money... 🙂

cheers Jorge

[R1200CL]

I rather think (or hope) an etherRegen with the 100 MHz upgrade to 1 GB. Maybe even optical on both sides. (More flexible and will work better with opticalrendu). 

I hope not with a LPS. Present housing keeps cost down.

Maybe some LT3045 boxes similar to those Alexey make, but I don’t expect so. 
A new ISOregen is possible, but can it be better ?

Maybe a DAC ?

I like to see an Ethernet to AES/EBU converter. (With NAA and RAAT). I’m quite sure something will happen here, but it probably take some time. This will turn every old DAC into a streaming DAC. (Not to be compared with Sonores endpoint).

If not, at least an USB to SPDIF converter. But we should move away from USB. 

 

A new USPCP. Probably with possible 5V power input.
 

I hope no external clocks. Better spend money on clocks done correctly internally.

And maybe something none have taught of 😀

 

I think UpTone like to have products below 1K. 

 

[soares]

2 hours ago, R1200CL said:

like to see an Ethernet to AES/EBU converter. (With NAA and RAAT). I’m quite sure something will happen here, but it probably take some time.

This is the Sonore ‘end point’ isn’t it? If yes it’s already available.

And you’re right the upgrade to 1G is also a strong possibility as Alex ( if I am not wrong)  confirmed that the chips are already available. Looking forward to the end of the year. 🙂

[PYP]

I want my stuff to settle in for the next year!  Please don't tell me that UpTone will offer another product that I didn't know I needed.   

Honestly, even if the next product isn't for me, I enjoy seeing the innovation and excitement generated.  Fascinating niche they have carved out.  Who isn't interested in cost-effective, innovative products backed by customer support that is second to none?  

[bernardl]

- I personally would very much like the next gen EtheRegen to continue to have a connector for an external clock. There is just no way an internal clock can reach the level of accuracy/noise control afforded by a top of the range external clocks. No issue to have a better internal one of course.

- I think that better thermal control thanks to a larger unit would be most welcome for sure.

- Due to a specific issue faced by my Devialet, I would prefer to stick to 100 Mbps.

- More visual confirmation about the clock mode being engaged (internal/external) thanks to a led would be welcome.

 

Cheers,

Bernard